The purpose of maintenance is not to keep equipment alive but to prove the system will operate when needed. That distinction explains why each test exists.
Three activities, three different questions
| Activity | The question it asks |
|---|---|
| Inspection | Does it look to be in the right condition? |
| Testing | When operated, does it behave as expected? |
| Maintenance | What must be done for it to keep working? |
Saying a system "has been maintained" does not mean it has been tested. The most common situation found at inspection is a system that has been inspected but never tested.
Weekly
- Control valve positions and lock or tag status.
- Gauge readings (system, suction, air pressure), recorded.
- Running the diesel pump and recording the run.
- Tank water level.
- Pump room temperature (in winter).
- Dry system air pressure and compressor behaviour.
Monthly
- Alarm valve and gauge checks.
- Battery voltage, charger and terminal cleanliness.
- Hose reel cabinets: door, hose, nozzle, obstruction in front.
- Extinguishers in place and pressurised.
- Fire doors closing freely.
- Escape routes clear.
Quarterly
- Main drain test. Shows the condition of the water supply; static and residual pressures are recorded and compared with the previous reading.
- Alarm test. Operation of the flow switch and water motor gong, and the alarm reaching the receiving centre.
- Function of the valve tamper switches.
- Visual inspection of hydrants and the fire brigade connection.
The main drain test tells you the most. It takes two minutes and reveals a partly closed valve, a blockage in the supply line, and a fall in mains pressure. Comparing the result with the previous test is essential; a single reading means nothing.
Annually
- Pump flow test. Pressure at churn, rated flow and 150% flow, with the curve compared against the design.
- Flow from the inspector's test valve. Simulating one sprinkler's flow at the most remote point.
- Dry system trip test. Valve opening time and time for water to reach the end.
- Inspection of hangers, supports and fixings.
- Visual inspection of sprinklers: corrosion, paint, damage, obstruction, loading.
- Compatibility of the spare sprinkler cabinet contents with the system.
- Tank and suction strainer inspection.
- Hose reel flow and pressure test.
Longer-interval checks
- Obstruction investigation. At defined intervals or when triggered by a finding; assessment of internal sediment and corrosion.
- Sprinkler sample testing. Laboratory testing of samples taken from heads of defined ages and types.
- Antifreeze solution check. Verification of concentration and type.
- Internal tank inspection. Draining to check corrosion, sediment and coating.
- Hose pressure test. Testing the integrity of hose reel hoses.
The intervals for these vary by standard and equipment type; producing an annual calendar for each site is the simplest way to stop them being missed.
A test with no acceptance criterion is not a test
Every test needs a predefined acceptance criterion. Examples:
- Residual pressure on a main drain test must not fall more than a defined proportion below the previous test.
- The pump must meet the design pressure at rated flow and hold the standard's minimum at 150% flow.
- Dry system trip time must be below the limit the standard or design sets.
- A tamper switch must signal before the valve is fully closed.
Without a written criterion, a test result is just a number and identifies no defect.
Record keeping
- For each check: date, who carried it out, the measured value, the acceptance criterion and the outcome.
- A separate tracker for non-conformities: finding, owner, target date, close-out.
- Impairment records: scope, duration, compensating measures, restoration verification.
- Change records: commodity, height, compartmentation, ceiling-level additions.
- Trend tracking: how the pump curve and main drain pressures move over the years.
A trend is worth more than a single reading. This year's pump curve may be acceptable; but if it has fallen for three years, something is wrong. The value of records lies in their being comparable.
Five decisions when setting up a maintenance programme
- Which standard's intervals apply, and is that written down?
- Which work is done in house and which by a contractor?
- Where are records kept and who has access?
- How does the non-conformity close-out process work?
- Who holds authority to take a system out of service?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between inspection and testing?
Inspection asks whether it looks to be in the right condition; testing asks whether it behaves as expected when operated. A maintained system may never have been tested.
What does a main drain test show?
A partly closed valve, a blockage in the supply line and a fall in mains pressure. Comparing with the previous test is essential; a single reading means nothing.
What is measured in the annual pump test?
Churn pressure, pressure at rated flow and pressure at 150% flow, with the measured curve compared against the design curve.
Where does the value of records come from?
From being comparable. This year's value may be acceptable, but a curve that has fallen for three years indicates a problem.
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Download MEP Calc on the App StoreNFPA 25 · NFPA 72 · EN 54 series · BS EN 12845:2015+A1:2019 · FM Global Data Sheets. This guide is a general road map; intervals and acceptance criteria follow the current edition of the relevant standard.